Hi Hivefriends,
Today I would like to introduce you to a post that is very close to my heart. Probably because it's THE attraction in my hometown of Cologne. Now I call Cologne my hometown because I've lived here since I started my studies and now even feel more comfortable here than in Essen, the city where I was born. And that's despite the fact that I wasn't happy at all in Cologne for the first few months. In retrospect, however, I believe that it was mainly due to my study situation at the time.
Anyway - Cologne is a great city with incredible sights, and today I want to introduce you to one of the most famous sights in Cologne by far - the Cologne Cathedral!
Actually, it's almost a shame that I haven't written about Cologne Cathedral yet, even though I've been at home in Kön for so long - so I had to catch up! I've been wanting to climb the Cologne Cathedral with a friend here in Cologne for a long time, we were just waiting for nice weather. The last week in Cologne was really nice, and so we went at noon to see the cathedral.
We met at the Neumarkt and walked from there through the Schildergasse in the direction of the cathedral. It was a sunny day, so there was already a lot going on in the cathedral square. Admission to the cathedral itself is free, we only stood in line in front of the cathedral for about three minutes, it went very quickly!
The official name of the Cologne Cathedral is "Hohe Domkirche Sankt Petrus"
Here is some brief information about Cologne Cathedral before I want to tell you how our experience in Cologne Cathedral was:
The Cologne Cathedral is actually called differently, the cathedral is officially "Hohe Domkirche Sankt Petrus". I actually didn't know that and I was very surprised. Really everyone calls Cologne Cathedral Cologne Cathedral! I've never heard it any other way...
always under construction...
The Duomo is a Roman Catholic church and one of the largest Gothic style cathedrals. It also took a long time to build the cathedral: construction began in 1248 and was only completed in 1880!! And it's still being built, I think there were a few days last year when there was no construction and the cathedral could be seen without any scaffolding. That must have been a big event;)!
while waiting to go in
me in front of the cathedral, the mobile phone filter that zooms out makes my legs even thinner and longer lol
A miracle, a symbol of the will to live
The dome has a very uniform and balanced design. That is why it is referred to by many building and art historians as the "perfect cathedral". A nice name for a cathedral, what do you say?
During the Second World War, Cologne was almost bombed out, but guess what was not damaged and stood in place as if nobody could harmed it: the cathedral! I really don't know how it could be that everything around was bombed but the cathedral remained intact.
In my opinion, the cathedral was rightly seen as a "miracle". The cathedral was closed
a very emotional symbol, especially for the people of Cologne. A symbol of the will to live.
Since 1996 the cathedral has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the most visited sights in Germany.
Inside the Cathedral
The interior of the Cologne Cathedral was more than impressive... I've been to the Cologne Cathedral before, at the very beginning of my studies, about three years ago, but the cathedral amazed me again, especially from the inside. It is even bigger and higher on the inside than you would imagine from the outside. The main nave, which leads to the chancel, is relatively slender. It measures 144 meters, making it the longest nave in Germany. There are two aisles on the right and left.
We drove to the cathedral relatively spontaneously and didn't take part in a guided tour. But if you would like to know some background information, you can also book a guided tour through the interior, into the treasury or onto the roof of the cathedral. I like discovering the places myself more and more, when there is enough information on boards or similar. They are always available in the cathedral! Church services are often held in the cathedral. It would certainly be a nice idea to visit the cathedral during a service, even if you don't have the opportunity to move around freely;).
Unfortunately, we were not able to visit the treasury downstairs last week, the entrances are closed due to Corona. Otherwise you would have gotten in there for free. But we went up to the cathedral and treated ourselves to a beautiful view of Cologne.
What I liked most about the interior of Cologne Cathedral were the stained glass windows. Rarely have I seen such beautiful colored windows that shone so brightly! The windows bring an incredible color intensity into the cathedral, which is a contrast to the otherwise rather less colorful cathedral.
Many small squares of color on an area of over 100 m² with over 80 shades
When I read him about the windows, I had to realize that they were destroyed by the Second World War and rebuilt again, this time differently. The cathedral also suffered damage from the Second World War. Fortunately, however, none or only minor ones affecting the "main building". After the Second World War, the Cologne-based painter Gerhard Richter was commissioned to paint the new windows. Above all, there are many small squares of color that adorn one of the windows. And that on an area of over 100 m². The artist chose 80 tones that already appeared in the colored windows of the 19th century. In doing so, he wanted to create an atmosphere that corresponded to the original intentions of medieval builders. He did it!
Information boards in the cathedral on the relationship between the Christian church and the Jews
A tower climb that is worthwhile
A climb of the tower was of course not to be missed during our visit. It was even relatively cheap, adults pay 6 euros, with our student ticket it only cost us 3 euros each.
Depending on the season, the Domplatte upstairs is open longer or shorter, we just got up there before the Platte closed. Also plan on waiting for the checkout. A little tip: You will find the entrance for the cathedral ascent right next to the cathedral below, which is also where the toilets are located.
So that you are prepared: I found the climb more complicated than you might be used to from other climbs to sights. There is no elevator - I'm not kidding, and that's what the ticket office says ;). This means that people with a wheelchair cannot get up there at all. Even if I can understand that you can't "just" install an elevator in a cathedral. And the staircase is very narrow, it's a spiral staircase. While my girlfriend found it very tiring and many people were getting out of breath on the way up, I got dizzy. But it actually worked, in between we were able to visit the bell tower. We also had to go through a very narrow corridor for this.
A beautiful panoramic view of Cologne city center and the Rhine
30 minutes, as it says at the cash desk, isnt true i would say. The ascent and descent does not take half an hour, it was more like 15 minutes in total.
The visitor platform is about 100 meters above the ground. So you shouldn't be afraid of heights;) We walked up a total of 533 steps to the top of the south tower.
The view of the Domplatte and the city was very impressive. The windows in the bell tower were pretty dusty. But I thought it had a mysterious touch, somehow it fit!
You actually have a panoramic view of Cologne city center and the Rhine. The only thing I didn't like so much was that there was no point where you had a clear view, i.e. there were no bars in front of your head. So high up but of course also understandable. Nevertheless, I would have wished for a somewhat clearer view. I would still recommend the cathedral ascent to everyone. You simply have to have been to the top of the cathedral, especially if you're from Cologne, but you shouldn't miss it as a tourist either!
I hope you liked my post about Cologne Cathedral. Would you visit the cathedral from the inside and climb the tower? Feel free to give me your feedback in the comments. Until next time!
I really love this pictures as a Christian and a Catholic member I love to see similar related stuffs, thank you for sharing this post and the history of the cathedral I really enjoyed reading this post thank you.
I'm glad you liked the post. For me it was also something special to be there, I'm glad I had the opportunity:)
Yeah...is awesome
Ancient cathedrals may be an under-appreciated asset. Obviously very important for tourism. Maybe should be protected like the museum?
absolutely, the cathedral in cologne is one of the most visited sights in germany. the cathedral is a unesco world heritage site, so i think it is very well protected, but in general it is definitely true!!! especially they have to be maintained:)
amazing architecture
Hi Katrin, another amazingly detailed post about such a unique piece of architecture. The views from on top of the tower are just perfect with the weather. Would love to go up there also it kind of reminds me of the climb in the Vatican with these extremely narrow staircases and passageways
yeah the weather was really good and the whole day sunny so it wasnt that cold:) i have never been to the vatican, but it sounds like its the same way of buuilding!!..somehow it was cool that way with these narrow staircases:) thank you for your comment!
I fell in love with these photographs, the cathedral is undoubtedly a beautiful place to visit, its structure is a wonderful and exclusive thing, without a doubt a perfect place to visit!
yeah the architecture is really amazing:) thank you for commenting!
Its architecture is amazing. They must have worked very hard to build it. standing under the building human is so small.😊
yeah they needed more than 600 years for building and its still under construction:O yeah haha thats true
wow it's so awesome!
Thank you!:)
The architecture here is really impressive, especially since the history here has spanned many centuries but has been preserved in its entirety.
absolutely, the dom has also survived a lot... and that even though cologne, for example, was bombed to pieces in the second world war...
When we were approaching the Koln, the cathedral was proudly making this city look gorgeous. Gothic style definitely makes any area great.
I am surprised it is still being built. I was there in 2003 and half of it was covered and under construction. We were not allowed into the tower. So it was great to finally see it through your blog!
I also think it's great that you can see the cathedral as soon as you take the train into the main station, as if it wants to greet you in Cologne. That's great that I could take you upstairs with the pictures if it didn't work out back then. I think since I've been living in Cologne something is constantly being repaired or renewed there :)
Makes sense, it is an old structure that requires attention 🙂
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This place is gorgeous and magnificent. I was overwhelmed by the architecture of the buildings.
A beautiful place 😍
yeahh the cathedral is so big, even the inside is bigger than i expected, the architecture is amazing:)
I almost thought it was St. Philomena's Cathedral church in mysore. The exterior of this looks identical to the church in mysore called St. Philomena's Cathedral
i entered it on google, it really looks very similar to the cathedral in cologne from the front !!! It is just a little bit smaller, but that can not be seen so well in the photos:) thanks for commenting
source
yes very similar, but there are differences in size as you said
Wow the cathedral Hohe Domkirche Sankt Petrus is very impressive, but most of all I love the stained glass windows they are amazing, this is among the most beautiful cathedrals I have seen.
haha i was thinking after i read the correct or rather "official" name of the church if i should call it "Hohe Domkirche Sankt Petrus" in the following, but i stayed with cologne cathedral.. the stained glass windows are really beautiful, it brings some colour into the cathedral
WoW, wonderful post and very nice Architecture. At first sight It looked like Notre Dame de Paris before that awful incident happened .
I would like to go tehre as soon as Covid and War will be over. Thx to make me feel virtually tehre with your post.
That's right, it really looks a bit like the "old" Notre Dame when I think about it. it's really worth seeing, I'd be curious about a post from you, if you visit the cathedral I can also highly recommend the tower climb.
I will for sure post a comment when I will see it. ^^
Imposing and impressive! I will have difficulty pronouncing the official name but the view up there is definitely worth the ascent. If I do get the opportunity, I would.
"High Cathedral Church of Saint Peter" thats the official name translated by an online translator, but I do not know if you can do it that way;) that makes me happy:)
Wow, I love this cathedral .both the interior and tomb climb looking beautiful and attractive
thank you i am happy you like it, yeah i think if you go there i would try to do both going inside and doing the climb:)
I've been there twice and have never gone inside so it was great seeing the interior from your perspective. The stained glass and the bell are super cool. The bell looks massive. I think the tower climb would be worth it for the views of the city and the tower and church itself. Awesome!
yeah the bell was really big and massive i think, we couldnt touch it but it is a 24 ton bell :O it really is, if you have sunshine its perfect! Thanks:)
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I wouldn't resist the urge to shout or clap inside the cathedral just to hear it echo up that maaaaaaaaassive ceiling. And it only took 632 years to build! About as much as our government take to fix a hole in the street \o\
Btw, is this cathedral facing the sunrise?
lol i didn't get the idea, we even spoke a little quieter, it really resonates, you'll have fun there!;) yes, if you look at it that way, 600 years is really very sporty.. oh you still remember about our conversation about the directions of the churches, i feel honored haha, yes the cologne cathedral is "easted" too
I do remember. Now every time I see a church I'm like "is it correct?" hah
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